Article of repose for supporting the body of a person



L. PASCHEN July 15, 1958 ARTICLE OF REPOSE FOR SUPPORTING THE BODY OF A PERSON Filed June 29, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR lupw/s FbscHE/v ATTORNEY L. PASCHEN July 15, 1958 ARTICLE OF REPOSE FOR SUPPORTING THE BODY OF A PERSON Filed June 29, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ZILDW/c; Ease/EN ATTORNEY L. PASCHEN July 15, 1958 ARTICLE OF REPOSE FOR SUPPORTING THE BODY OF A PERSON Filed June 29. 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR zypw/g Ease/raw ATTORNEY y 1953 L. PASCHEN 2,843,181

ARTICLE O REPOSE FOR SUPPORTING THE BODY OF A PERSON Filed June 29, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR zz/pw/a PnscwEN ATTORNEY asaaasr ARTMILIE (if REFUSE SUPPORTING THE BEUDY @F A PERSON Ludwig l aschen, Hildeshehn, Germany, assignor ta Wetzeli Gnmmiwerhe Ahtiengesellschaft, Hildesheirn, Germany, a eompany of Germany Application June 29, 1%4, fierial N0. Mthdw Claims priority, application Germany .luly 6, 1953 1% Claims. (Cl. 155-47) The present invention relates to an article of repose for supporting the body of a person, and in particular to an article of the kind described having air-cushioned or inflatable parts.

it is an object of the present invention to provide an article of repose which is suitable for outdoor purposes such as camping or gardening.

it is another object of the present invention to render the article easily transportable from one place to the other.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an article of repose which may be used both as a mattress and as a comfortable chair or lounge chair.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description thereof with reference to the accompanying .draw ings showing, by way of example, some embodiments of the present invention. In the drawings Fig. l is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention with the parts thereof arranged so as to form a chair,

Pig. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 with the parts thereof arranged so as to form a lounge chair,

Fig. 3 is a plan view on a slightly reduced scale of part of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 when the same is used as a mattress,

Fig. 4 shows a modified embodiment of a part of Figs. 1 and 2,

Figs. 5 and 6 show a further compact embodiment of a part of Figs. 1 and 2,

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a further embodiment of the present invention, with the parts thereof arranged as a mattress,

Fig. 8 is a perspective view on a reduced scale of the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 and some additional parts, all arranged so as to form a chair,

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the present invention, the parts thereof being arranged as a chair, and

Fig. 10 is a plan view on a slightly reduced scale of part of the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, being arranged so as to form a mattress.

Referring now to the drawings, and first to Figs. 1-3, the article of repose comprises three separately inflatable parts 1, 2 and 3having different lengths, i. e. a first inflatable end portion 1, an inflatable center portion 2 and a second inflatable end portion 3. The parts 1, 2 and 3 are provided, respectively, with valves 201, 2% and 2113 arranged preferably on the same side of the article of repose so as to facilitate the inflating of the parts 1, 2 and 3. The parts 2 and 3 are subdivided by longitudinal and transversal members (not shown) into a plurality of sections such as 2114-207; The parts 1, 2 and 3 are connected with one another by non-inflatable sections such as the edge portions and 215. Part 1 forms the head rest of the lounge chair shown in Fig. 2 and the seat of the chair shown in Fig. 1, whereas part 2 forms 2,843,181 Patented Judy 15, 1953 ice 2. the back rest in both positions. Part 3 forms the back rest supporting means in the position shown in Fig. 1 illustrating a chair, whereas it forms in the lounge chair shown in Fig. 2 the leg rest lying flat on the ground.

Part 1 is provided on its longitudinal lateral margins or rim portions with tubular portions or loops 5 for receiving each one leg 4 of U-shaped parts such as 208 of the frame generally denoted by 210. The frame 2113 consists preferably of steel tubes and its total height corresponds approximately to the height of the seat 1. shown in Fig. 1.

The inflated back rest or center portion 2 extends backwards toward the top of the article of repose in the position shown in Fig. l and is supported by the relatively long inflated part 3 bridging the entire distance from the upper edge 15 of the back rest 2 to the ground, so that the length of the part 3 corresponds approximately to the height of the frame 210 augmented by the height of the back rest 2. The end portion 3 is thus longer than the center portion 2.

The frame 210 includes two U-shaped parts 208 having legs or side portions 4 and 6 connected by a middle or transverse portion 7. The legs 4 and 6 of each of the U- shaped parts 203 preferably diverge slightly from each other toward the free ends thereof, so that the distance of the free ends surpasses the length of the middle portion '7. in the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the two legs 6 support the article of repose on the ground. The middle portion 7 is provided at the lower end thereof with a heel piece 8 projecting toward the third part 3 so as to increase the stability of the article of repose.

in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the two U- shaped parts 2618 are connected with each other by a two part rod 9 which is inserted into sleeves ltlprovided on the middle portions '7 and are secured in position by suitable means (not shown). The rod 9 forms an abutting member for the part 1 when the latter is loaded, e. g. by the weight of a person sitting on the chair.

Eyelets or lugs 11 are provided on the middle portion '7 into which in the position of the article of repose as a chair shown in Fig. 1 straps 12 are hooked the other ends of which are secured to hooks 13 provided on the part 3. The straps 12 hold the back rest support 3 in the chair shown in Fig. 1, in a ridge-like position with respect to the back rest 2.

1n the preferred embodiment of the present invention the air-cushioned lounge chair according to the invention is formed as a convertible article of furniture. Seat 1, back rest 2 and back rest support 3 are separately inflatable, but form a connected mattress which can be used as a mattress lying flat on the ground as shown in Fig. 3. in addition, the lounge chair is convertible into an ordinary chair, and vice versa. The seat 1 of the ordinary chair forms the head rest of the lounge chair.

The operation of this device is as follows:

In order to perform the transformations described hereinabove the straps 12 are loosened and the parts 2 and 3 lowered from the position shown in Fig. 1. The heel portions 8 prevent a tilting of the part 1 although in the lounge chair the load of the part 1 acts unilaterally. into a mattress shown in Fig. 3 it is only needed to pull the frame 21.11 with the legs 4 thereof out of the tubular portions or loops Referring now to 4 of the drawings an alternative form of the frame is shown which includes a U-shaped fundamental form for the two legs 14 and 16. The middle or transverse portion 17 is provided with a conveX part or bulge 18 adjacent to the leg 16 into which the bulge 18 directly passes over.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings, it will be seen that the halves 39 and 339 of the connecting In order to convert the article of repose rod are swingably attached, respectively, to the transverse portions 37 and 337. When the frame has to be transported from one place to the other it is taken to pieces and the two halves 39 and 339 of the connecting rod are swung into the plane of the two U-shaped parts 34, 36, 37 and 334, 336, 337. The frame is less bulky in this condition.

Fig. 5 shows the two halves of the frame separated from each other, with the halves 39 and 339 of the connecting rod being swung into the plane of the two U-shaped parts. Fig. 6 is a back view of the assembled frame. Each U-shaped part is provided with two legs such as 34, 36 which are connected by a middle or transverse portion such as 37. The leg 34 includes an obtuse angle with the transverse portion 37 whereas the leg 36 is at right angles to the transverse portion 37. A heel portion such as 38 projects from the transverse portion such as 37 close to the leg 36, the heel portions increasing the stability of the article of repose of which the frame forms part. A collar such as 40 carrying the half such as 39 of the connecting rod is arranged for translation and .rotation on the transverse portion such as 37. The slidability of the collar 40 is limited by the ring stop 44 and the two projecting pins 41 rigidly secured to the transverse portion 37. In the position shown in Fig. 6 the pins 41 engage corresponding recesses such as 42 provided in the collar 40. The half 39 of the connecting rod i provided at its free end with an extension 43 having a smaller diameter whereas the free end of the half 339 is hollow so that it is enabled to receive the extension 43 when the frame is assembled as shown in Fig. 6.

In order to assemble the frame from the parts thereof shown separated in Fig. 5, the halves 39 and 339 together with the collars such as 40 thereof are shifted towards the ring stops 44 and thus unlocked, then the halves 39 and 339 of the connecting rod are swung through an angle of 90 and shifted toward the pins 41 so that the latter engage the recesses 42. Then the halves 39 and 339 of the connecting red are joined with each other by shifting the extension 43 into the hollow end of the half 339.

In all embodiments an enlarged supporting area is obtained by providing the heel portions such as 8 and 33 which extend backwards in the chair form shown in Fig. 1 and forwards in the lounge chair form shown in Fig. 2. Thus the article of repose stands securely on the ground particularly also as a lounge chair shown in Fig. 2.

The arrangements described hereinabove in which the Y seat (Fig. l) or the head rest (Fig. 2) rest on two legs of the U-shaped parts result in a particularly good springiness. A more rigid design is shown in Figs. 7 and 8 in which the seat of the chair rests on the transverse pieces 63 of the U-shaped parts 54.

As in the embodiments described hereinabove the mattress comprises three separately inflatable parts 51, 52 and 53 having different lengths. The first part 51 forms the head rest of the mattress form shown in Fig. 7 and the sitting cushion of the chair shown in Pig. 8. The first part 51 is provided on its lateral rim portions with tubular portions or loops 55 receiving the transverse portions 63 of the U-shaped supporting parts 54. Preferably the support 54 are rotatable in the tubular portions 55 so that they may be rotated so as to occupy a flat position as shown in Fig. 7, when it is intended to use the article of repose as a mattress. A pocket 63 attached detachably to the third part 53, for instance, by means of snap fasteners '75 may serve for keeping the supports 54 or other parts of the parts of the frame.

In the chair form shown in Fig. 8 the supports 5d are swung through an angle of 90 against the position thereof shown in Fig. 7 and secured in position by diagonal struts 61 having sleeves 31 arranged on the legs 64. Discs 82 attached to the free ends of the legs 64 secure an increased stability of the chair. The inflated third part 53 having a relatively great length forms the back rest support and abuts with its lower margin against the same level (ground) against which the discs 32 abut. The third part 53 bridges the distance to the upper rim of the back rest formed by the second part 52. For securing the back rest support 53 in position, holding means are provided which in the embodiment shown in Figs. 7 and 8 include detachable and preferably length-adjustable three-parts belts or straps 57 the parts of which are provided with hooks engaging holes 78 of the marginal portions 75 of the third part 53. The other end of the straps 57 is attached to the legs 64.

It will be clear to anyone skilled in the art that also in this embodiment the article of repose may be easily converted and may assume, besides the forms shown in Figs. 7 and 8 showing, respectively, a mattress and a chair, a form corresponding to that shown in Fig. 2 forming a lounge chair with a raised head rest.

If desired, the supporting member or frame on which the scat rests in an elevated position may be replaced by an inflatable cushion or fourth part which preferably is arranged underneath the seat so as to be somewhat shifted toward the back. Such an article of repose is r shown in Fig. 9 as a chair and in Fig. 10 as a mattress.

The mattress includes four inflatable parts, namely a first part 141, a second part 142, a third part 143, and a fourth part 144. Between the parts 143 and 142 and between the parts 142 and 141 are arranged narrow noninflatable parts 150 whereas between the parts 141 and 144 a much wider non-inflatable part 151 is arranged. In this manner it is achieved that the part 144 being a substitute of the steel tube frame shown in Figs. 1 and 2 may be folded underneath the part 141 forming the seat of the chair shown in Fig. 9. In this position the part 144 is held by straps 152 which engage corresponding holes 145 of the part 144 and holes 146 of the non-inflatable part arranged between the inflatable parts 141 and 142. The back rest 142 is supported by the long mattress part 143 in a ridge-like manner. In this position the parts 142 and 143 are secured by straps 147 engaging the holes 146 and holes 148 provided in the rim portion of the back rest support 143.

Although I have described and shown several preferred embodiments of my invention it is to be understood that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the several parts of the illustrated article of repose without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the forms herein described being merely for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

What I claim and wish to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A mattress comprising, in combination, a center portion, a first end portion, a second end portion, means,

hingedly interconnecting said first end portion to said center portion adjacent one side of said center portion, means hingedly interconnecting said second end portion to said center portion adjacent an opposite side of said center portion, and a rigid frame including two substantially parallel spaced vertically extending parts, each of said parts comprising a lower ground engaging member and an upper member, means rigidly connecting said upper and lower members in spaced relation, means removably connecting each of said upper members to one side of said first end portion with each of said upper members extending generally parallel to its associated side, means rigidly interconnecting said parts to form a rigid frame for supporting said first portion in spaced relation to a surface underlying said lower members.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the ground engaging member and the upper member of both said parts diverge.

3.. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means interconnecting said parts comprises detachable means for disconnecting one of said parts from the other.

4. The combination of claim 1 including removable brace means connectable to said second end portion and to one of said rigid frames for connecting said second end portion in fixed relationship to said rigid frames.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means interconnecting said parts comprises a pair of rigid elements, means connecting one of said elements to one of said parts, means connecting one of said elements to the other of said parts, means detachably connecting one of said elements to the other of said elements.

6. The combination of claim 5 including means connecting each of the latter elements to its respective part for pivotal movement about an axis substantially transverse of the ground engaging member thereof.

7. The combination set forth in claim 1, including said spaced parts being U-shaped.

8. The combination of claim 7 including said means rigidly interconnecting said parts being connected to and extending between the bights of said U-shaped parts.

9. The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said means rigidly interconnecting said upper and lower members forms the bight of the U of each of said spaced parts, rigid means connected to and projecting outwardly from at least one of said parts in a direction opposite from the upper and lower members of the latter part with respect to said bight, said rigid means extending downwardly to a level approximately that of the latter part loWer member at a point spaced from said part.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said rigid means is connected to the bight of the latter part.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 239,664 Nash Apr. 5, 1881 2,623,574 Damsch Dec. 30, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,584 Great Britain ..f 1854 6,211 Great Britain 1886 742,010 Germany Oct. 2, 1944 

